Adjustable shelf unit



Oct. 18, 1949. M. E. ROBERTS 2,435,067

ADJUSTABLE SHELF UNIT Filed March 4, 1946 22 I 2/ I H I @VVENTOR. zz BY Wm flaw! ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE SHELF UNIT Mary E. Roberts, Berkeley, Calif.

Application March 4, 1946, Serial No. 651,751

7 Claims. (01. 211--144) The invention relates to shelf units, and more particularly to a shelf unit comprising a set of revoluble shelves suitable for the storage of spices or condiments, and involving certain adjustment features whereby the unit as a whole may be made to fit between existing shelves of kitchen cabinets or the like regardless of the spacing of the existing shelves, and into which unit may be fitted spice, condiment or other containers of various sizes.

The unit preferably comprises a central rotatable shaft including two relatively telescoping members which are constantly urged apart by spring or other pressure so that the unit may be adjusted to any desired size and fitted into any available space. The ends of the central shaft are pointed so as to engage the upper and lower permanent shelves, while permitting rotation of the unit as a whole. The unit itself may be pro vided with any desired number of shelves of any desired size which are secured to the central shaft for rotation therewith, one or more of the unit shelves being axially adjustable along the central shaft.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing the unit applied between a pair of shelves of a kitchen cupboard or the like; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on a larger scale than Fig. 1 showing one of the detachable shelf units.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, reference letters A and B denote upper and lower shelves of a kitchen cupboard or the like between which the detachable shelf unit comprising the present invention is adapted to be fitted. It will be obvious that the permanent shelves A and B may be any upper and lower members, as, for example, portions of existing shelves of kitchen cabinets or the like. The detachable shelf unit comprises a two-piece telescopic spring pressed central shaft ID, the ends of which are pointed so as to engage the upper and lower permanent shelves A and B while permitting rotation of the detachable unit C. The unit C includes upper and lower shelves H and 12 secured to the central shaft H] in any suitable manner, one of the shelves being preferably axially adjustable with reference to the central shaft while the other shelf may be fixed. Additional or intermediate shelves may be provided if desired.

Referring now to Fig. 2, in which details of construction are more fully set forth, a shaft I0 is shown as comprising two relatively telescoping members I5 and It. The member I5 is shown as in the form of a plunger and is pointed at its lower end I! for engagement with the lower permanent shelf B. The other member I6 is shown as hollow and is adapted to fit over one end of the plunger member l5. The hollow member I6 is likewise pointed at its end I8 and as shown said hollow member houses a spring l9, one end of which engages the end of the plunger member l5 while the other engages the opposite end of the hollow member or housing l6, thus normally urging the two members l5 and I6 apart. While it is preferred to employ a spring within the hollow member IE it would be possible to dispense with the spring and rely on the cushioning effect of compressed air provided the joint between the two members is sufficiently airtight. However, for ordinary purposes a spring or other compressed member is included between the two parts of the central shaft Ill.

The shelves II and I2 mounted upon the central axis are shown as identical in size and shape, although for some purposes shelves of different sizes may be preferred. The diameters of the shelves may be varied as desired but shelves of eight to ten inches in diameter have proved satisfactory in actual use. Each of the shelves of the unit C is provided with a central opening to permit passage over the shaft, and as shown each is provided with a flange or cup 20 having a side opening 2| to permit insertion of a pin 22 for securing the shelf to the central shaft, which is provided with corresponding openings to receive the pin. As shown the upper shelf l2 may be adjusted to any of several positions, a. plurality of openings 23 being provided in the central shaft to permit such adjustment. Intermediate shelves may be provided if desired. The shelves may be made of wood, metal or plastic material, or combinations thereof, and the dimensions may be varied as desired,

In assembling the device the circular shelves I I and I2 are first applied to the plunger I5, the lower shelf l2 being fixed and the upper shelf l I being adjustable to any one of a plurality of positions indicated by the openings 23 in the plunger. The hollow member I6 is then telescoped over the blunt end of the plunger l5 and the unit fitted between upper and lower permanent shelf members A and B, as indicated in Fig. 1. The points I! and 18 of the central shaft engage the upper and lower permanent shelves A and B and hold the unit securely in place. However, the points serve as pivots which ermit rotation of the unit as a whole by simply grasping the upper shelf I I and turning the unit to the desired position, the shelf ll being secured to the central shaft by means of the drive-in pin 2|. The shelf l I may be placed in any desired adjusted position depending on the distance between the permanent shelves A and B and the size of the articles to be carried upon the individual shelves II and I2 of the shelf unit.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration but it will be obvious that numerous modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A detachable and rotatable shelf unit adapted to be assembled and rotatably secured between permanent shelves or the like spaced at varying distances apart, said unit comprising a two-part central shaft having pointed ends adapted to firmly engage the material of the upper and lower permanent shelves while permitting rotation of the unit, resilient means normally urging the two parts of the shaft apart, and one or more circular shelves secured to the central shaft.

2. A detachable and rotatable shelf unit adapted to be assembled and rotatably secured between permanent shelves or the like spaced at varying distances apart, said unit comprising a two-part central shaft having pointed ends adapted to firmly engage the material of the upper and lower permanent shelves while permitting rotation of the unit, resilient means normally urging the two parts of the shaft apart, and one or more circular shelves secured to the central shaft, at least one shelf of the detachable unit being adjustable axially of the central shaft.

3. A detachable and rotatable shelf unit adapted to be assembled and rotatably secured between permanent shelves or the like spaced at varying distances apart, said unit comprising a two-part central shaft having pointed ends adapted to firmly engage the material of the upper and lower permanent shelves while permitting rotation of the unit, resilient means normally urging the two parts of the shaft apart, and one or more circular shelves secured to the central shaft, each shelf having a central opening to fit the shaft, a flange projecting axially about said opening, and means for detachably securing the flange to the central shaft.

4. A quick detachable and readily rotatable shelf unit suitable for use as a spice tray adapted to be assembled and rotatably secured between permanent shelves or the like spaced at varying distances apart, said unit comprising a two-part central vertical shaft having pointed ends adapted to firmly engage the material of the upper and lower permanent shelves while permitting rotation of the unit, resilient means normally urging the two parts of the shaft apart, and one or more circular shelves secured to the lower member of the central shaft.

5. A quick detachable and readily rotatable shelf unit suitable for use as a spice tray adapted to be assembled and rotatably secured between permanent shelves or the like Spaced at varying distances apart, said unit comprising a two-part central vertical shaft having pointed ends adapted to firmly engage the material of the upper and lower permanent shelves while permitting rotation of the unit, resilient means normally urging the two parts of the shaft apart, and one or more circular shelves secured to the lower member of the central shaft, at least one shelf of the detachable unit being adjustable axially of the central shaft.

6. A quick detachable and readily rotatable shelf unit suitable for use as a spice tray adapted to be assembled and rotatably secured between permanent shelves or the like spaced at varying distances apart, said unit comprising a two-part central vertical shaft having pointed ends adapted to firmly engage the material of the upper and lower permanent shelves while permitting rotation of the unit, resilient means normally urging the two parts of the shaft apart, and one or more circular shelves secured to the lower member of the central shaft, each shelf having a central opening to fit the shaft, a flange projecting axially about said opening, and means fir gzetachably securing the flange to the central 5 a 7. A quick detachable and readily rotatable shelf unit suitable for use as a spice tray comprising a central rigid upright shaft portion pointed at its lower end, and having an upper extension portion telescoping therewith, resilient means interposed between the two shaft portions, and one or more shelves carried by the lower shaft portion,

MARY E. ROBERTS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Roark Dec. 5, 1939 

